Page 51 of Mr. Almost

Me

Fine.

Mason

Good. Let me know when you’re ready to come home.

Me

Thank you.

Mason

For what?

Me

Being you.

Mason

You’re welcome. Now get back to your girls’ night. I’ll see you when you get home, Livvy.

“Everything okay?” Chloe asks as she walks back into the room.

I set down my phone. “Everything is perfect.”

MASON

My phone vibrates on the arm of the couch, and I see it’s a message from Thomas.

Thomas

Miss Olivia is on her way up.

Me

Thank you.

I set my phone back down on the arm of the couch and get up.

Olivia wanted to take a rideshare over to Chloe’s place so that she could drink, but I refused. There was no way I was letting her get into a car with a stranger when my driver is on hand at all times. It took some pleading, and I will admit I fought dirty. I brought Ari into it and asked what she would do if her mother was kidnapped and murdered, all for a little bit of pride. She conceded after that and took Thomas.

It was a small win, but I took it.

Quietly, I walk over to the door and open it. When I hear her drunken giggle, I can’t help but smile.

She had a good time. I’m happy that she did. She has had to do the single mom thing for four years. I can’t imagine how scary it was for her to be pregnant and then give birth. Then to know she has kicked ass by being such an amazing mom? She’s a damn superhero.

Caring for Ari so she could go out tonight was the least I could do. If she’d let me, I would do it more often. I want to be her partner in this. For her to know she’s not alone anymore.

We have a long way to go, though.

When she comes into view, I chuckle. “What the hell are you doing?”

Olivia has her hands on the steps in front of her as she half crawls, half walks up the stairs.

“Shh, you’ll wake everyone in the building.” I think she means to whisper, but it comes out at normal volume.

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